(Photo by Volcano Veggies LLC)
Wells Fargo named Bend-based Volcano Veggies LLC a grand prize winner in the Wells Fargo Works Project contest, which ran from May 1 – June 30, 2015. This business was one of five entrants selected as a grand prize winner from a pool of 25 finalists. Volcano Veggies LLC will receive $25,000, along with six months of guidance and mentorship from a small business professional, as well as tailored solutions for their business.
Small business owners from across the country were invited to enter the contest by submitting a short video or essay that answered five questions addressing why they became a business owner, their mission and purpose, and their business goals and objectives. In its second year, the contest drew more than 4,200 entries from a diverse range of small businesses across the country.
Volcano Veggies LLC is a certified organic indoor aquaponic farm that uses fish to provide organic fertilizer for plants that are grown in a vertical system. The company was founded in 2010 with the goal of growing and providing fish and veggies year-round to communities in any climate. Business owner James Sbarra said that being named a grand prize winner will help the business double production, expand to new locations and optimize operations.
“Wells Fargo would like to congratulate Volcano Veggies LLC on being named a grand prize winner in the Wells Fargo Works Project contest,” said Tracy Curtis, Wells Fargo’s Oregon regional president. “We were thrilled to again engage business owners across the country through the contest, and we enjoyed hearing their inspirational stories of entrepreneurship. Working with small business owners is one of the most important things that we do, and we are committed to helping them create a path for long-term financial success through a wide range of tools and resources.”
The Wells Fargo Works Project contest is part of Wells Fargo Works for Small Business – a broad initiative to deliver resources, guidance and products to help business owners achieve financial success.
Wells Fargo recently expanded the support it offers business owners by launching the Business Plan Center. The free online resource, available on WellsFargoWorks.com, features the Business Plan Tool, a step-by-step guide to develop a written business plan. It also offers a Competitive Intelligence Tool, which provides business owners with key insight on competitors and their market that can be used as part of the planning process.
Visit WellsFargoWorks.com/project to review contest entries, and learn more about Wells Fargo Works for Small Business.
